Somehow I have ended up with another 1796 Pattern light cavalry sabre. This one a troopers sword that was possibly used by the Yeomanry due to it not having an ordnance board proof stamp.
Made by Thomas Gill sometime between 1796 and 1801 it is inscribed with his famous guarantee of quality: “Tho. Gill’s Warranted never to Fail” on the blade.
Thomas Gill (the second) was one of the best sword makers of his time and introduced the “Warranted” quality mark that was later picked up by many other sword makers of his period. With his passing, the business of sword making was picked up by one of his sons, John Gill and later Elizabeth Gill when John passed away. This is my third 1796 Pattern sabre by the Gill family, a topic I will write about at a later date.
Overall Length: 955 mm
Blade Length: 828 mm
Grip Length: 116 mm
Inside Grip Length: 100 mm
Sword Weight: 800 grams
Total Weight: 1,820 grams
Point of Balance: 165 mm
Curve: 60 mm
